Priya Manohar

Indian social entrepreneur bridging education gaps through AI-driven rural learning centers

Education Innovation Pioneer

Priya Manohar is the founder of ShikshaAI, a nonprofit deploying AI tutors in India's rural schools. Her program has reached 1.2 million students in 5,000 villages since 2021, closing the urban-rural education gap by 38% according to a 2024 UNESCO study. The initiative won India's National Education Innovation Award in 2023.

AI Tutor System

Manohar's system uses low-cost tablets with adaptive learning algorithms tailored to each student's pace. The AI adjusts teaching methods based on real-time performance data. A unique feature is the 'Mother Tongue Interface' allowing lessons in 22 Indian languages. A detailed technical paper is available in ScienceDirect's 2023 Education Technology Journal.

Community Empowerment

Students using her system scored 50% higher in national exams than peers. The program also trains local women as tech coordinators, creating 15,000 jobs. A 2025 UNDP report highlighted her model as a blueprint for developing countries: 'She turned India's digital divide into a bridge' (Economic Times, June 2024).

Global Expansion

In 2024, UNESCO adopted her model in 12 African countries through the Global Education Initiative. She was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2025. Critics praise her 'human-centered tech' approach: 'Not just gadgets - but genuine empowerment' - Forbes India, Feb 2024.